Paediatric femoral fractures treated by hip spica- Result of 42 patients

Background- For diaphyseal femur fracture, treatment options varies from conservative as hip spica or operative as nailing/plating.We analysed results of patients treated conservatively in a hip spica cast. Material and Methods- 42 patients, upto 5 years of age, with shaft femur fracture managed by hip spica cast were retrospectively analysed in terms of healing clinically and radiologically and complications, if any. Results- Fracture healed satisfactorily in all patients. Males were more affected and road side accident was most common etiology. Mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. Most common complication was skin breakage (33.3%) followed by cast soiling or breakage (14.3%) while shortening was seen in 2 patients and angulation in one patient. Conclusion- Despite newer and safer implants, hip spica remains safe and cost effective method for treatment of femur fracture in children.